Community wide Kwanzaa held Dec. 28, 2018 at Eutaw Activity Center, sponsored by Greene County Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. and Harambe Community Youth Organization.
The annual Kwanzaa Celebrations in Greene County focused on presentations at the local schools as well as the community wide event. Kwanzaa co-sponsors, the Greene County Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. and the Harambe Community Youth Organization, conducted celebrations at Greene County High School, Robert Brown Middle School and Eutaw Primary School during the week of December 17, before students left for Christmas Holiday. The community celebration was held Friday, Dec. 28 at the Eutaw Activity Center.
The program participants included members of the sponsoring organizations and students from the respective schools. The participants at the community event also included DST Debutants of the 2019 Season and the Greene County Community Choir.
Kwanzaa, a Swahili word meaning First Fruits, is a harvest celebration honoring the culture and heritage of African Americans. It was created in 1966 by Dr. Maulana Karenga during the Black Power Movement to honor African American people, our struggles in the United States, our heritage and our culture. During Kwanzaa Celebration, family and community gather together to give thanks for the harvest, which brings us good things from the earth. We remember the past and our ancestors who worked the earth and we celebrate hope and promise for the year to come.
Kwanzaa is celebrated from December 26 through January 1. Each day a candle is lit and a Kwanzaa Principle is discussed. On the first day the black candle is lit representing the principle Umoja (Unity). On the following days, alternating red and green candles are lit from the black candle for the remaining principles – Kujichagulia (Self-determination); Ujima (Collective Work and Responsibility); Ujamaa (Cooperative Economics); Nia (Purpose); Kuumba (Creativity; and Imani ( Faith).
The community shared the Talking Stick for expressions and applications of the Kwanzaa Principles. A harvest feast was shared by all.